Also, after defeat it delivered 150 xp , that doesn't sound like "quite a bit".
Sounds about right. And, IMO, at this stage in the game (party probably at level 6 and 50 to 80 percent to level 7), 150 XP is pretty good for a single enemy. The earlier you do this fight (meaning at a lower level), the more valuable those 150 XP will be be, of course.
I did notice that, with all other things being equal, my next level up did come at a slightly earlier stage than usual on my first patch 8 play-through. I never engaged or killed the Elemental before, so I never collected those XP.
It's sad to read that I will now have to kill him, he seemed not to bother anyone and I like his design.
Same here... his setting off the lava bursts was a minor nuisance at best, so I never fought him (it?). It *is* easier to pick up that Merragon Halberd tucked away in one of the corners of the area if the Elemental is gone, but you could still pick that thing up without melting your character while the bursts were going ..
